Middle Childhood and the Tweens

Psychological .

Middle Childhood and the Tweens

This age cohort (middle childhood and the tweens) has seen more focus over the past decade or so as being the manifestation age for a whole host of adult issues including eating disorders, relationship difficulties, harmful sexualised behaviours, bullying, emerging personality difficulties and early onset psychosis.  We are seeing increasing numbers of referrals of children who are experiencing psychological distress as a result of bullying via social media and exposure to adult material for example and schools who are unable to cope.

 “Half of all mental health conditions start by 14 years of age, but most cases go undetected.”

Source, WHO 2019

What is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy?

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based therapy which can help to reduce distress and improve your ability to function.

CBT can be used with school-aged children and youth with a stronger focus on behaviour so can be used with children aged 4 and above. CBT helps children and youth become more aware of their thoughts, actions and feelings so they can view difficult situations more clearly and respond more effectively.

CBT is an effective treatment for a wide range of challenges, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, low self-esteem, anger problems, obsessive compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder and symptoms

Research has shown that children and youth experiencing anxiety and depression are less likely to relapse when treated with CBT.

If you have any questions for My Family Psychologist, contact us or call us on 07801 079555 today and discover how we can help.

In Crisis

In Crisis? If you feel you or someone else is at imminent risk there are a number of services and organisations who can help:Go to your local A&E

Call The Police 

Contact your local NHS Crisis Team 

Contact your local Single Point of Access; this is a relatively new service available in most Trusts aimed to streamline referrals 

If you need to talk to someone, there are a number of charitable organisations who can help:

Text THEMIX to 85258 – talking support for young people 

Call The Samaritans on 116123 or email jo@samaritans.org

Visit www.thecalmzone.net – The Campaign Against Living Miserably, specifically aimed at men under 45.

Call Family Lives on 0808 800 2222 – support for families and parenting. 

Childline – 0800 1111.

If you are experiencing domestic abuse you can contact Refuge on their 24 hour helpline 0808 2000247.

Anxiety UK recommends the apple technique in triggering situations:

APPLE

Acknowledge the uncertainty as it comes to mind.
Pause – Don’t react as you normally do. Don’t react at all. Just pause and breath.
Pull back – Tell yourself this is just the worry talking, and this apparent need for certainty is not helpful and not necessary. It is only a thought or feeling. Don’t believe everything you think. Thoughts are not statements or facts.
Let go – Let go of the thought or feeling. It will pass. You don’t have to respond to them. You might imagine them floating away in a bubble or cloud.
Explore – Explore the present moment, because right now, in this moment, all is well. Notice your breathing and the sensations of your breathing. Notice the ground beneath you. Look around and notice what you see, what you hear, what you can touch, what you can smell. Right now. Then shift your focus of attention to something else – on what you need to do, on what you were doing before you noticed the worry, or do something else – mindfully with your full attention.

Psychology Services Designed For You

Tailored to Your Needs

All our services are unique to your situation.

If you require specific psychology input, we will be there to provide you with whatever you need. 

We are adaptable and that means that working with My Family Psychologist will always meet and exceed your requirements, even if they change over time.

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